Garden Blog - Top Tropicals
Date: 9 Mar 2022
"...Despite knowing they won't be here for long, they still choose to live their brightest lives - sunflowers..."
- Rupi Kaur -
Photo above: Ukrainian Sunflowers. This photo was sent to us today from Ukraine by Alex & Lena, and Oksana (daughter of our Catalog Editor Marina Rybka). Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their country.
Date: 4 Dec 2021
It's time for our favorite day and another Easy stroll through Top Tropicals' Garden with savings of 50% and MORE! What a wonderful way to start the day.
Speaking of wonderful, is there any memory as wonderful as a peanut
butter and jelly sandwich from back in the day?! PB&J's, a true Classic, easy,
savory and delicious and a universal favorite... And for a truly Top Tropicals
variation of the Classic sandwich, have we got something special for
you...
Bunchosia argentea and Randia Formosa. OK, we admit it may not roll off the
tongue quite as easily as PB&J, but your tongue and taste buds will be
thankful for the delicious flavors of the Peanut Butter Fruit Tree - Bunchosia argentea, and Blackberry Jam Fruit - Randia formosa.
Combine the rich and creamy delicious Peanut Butter with the not too sweet and fresh pulp of the Blackberry Jam Fruit and you have a unique and tasty combination destined to be a classic of its own while making your garden look even more beautiful!
For this Easy Sunday we have priced these at incredible savings:
The Peanut Butter Tree, regularly $49, is on Easy Sunday sale for
only $24
The Blackberry Jam, regularly $39, is on Easy Sunday Sale for
only $19
Combine the two for your own Classic Combination and save even more, instead of full price $88, it's only only $39 for the set!
Randia formosa - Blackberry jam fruit, Jasmin de Rosa - fragrant white flowers of this Gardenia relative and edible fruit that tastes like blackberry jam... Kids love the fruit! Many claim that it's even better than preserves. This exotic shrub will fruit in a container within a year and produces as many as 25 to 30 fruits at a time. It is relatively cold hardy, blooms for a few months in the fall and winter, so fruiting and flowering can be enjoyed when many other plants are dormant.
Picture of 2 y.o. plant full of fragrant flowers, ready to set fruit:
Bunchosia argentea - Peanut Butter Tree.
One of the most fascinating exotic fruit, as amazing as Miracle fruit,
Peanut Butter Fruit is loved by both kids and adults. Yes, it tastes exactly like
peanut butter! Sweet, soft pulp with peanut flavor. The tree is small in
size, grows 10-15 ft max, or can be kept as a bush. Starts fruiting within 2-3
years from seed! Keep it in a pot if you have limited space, it can be grown
indoors, too. The fruit can be eaten fresh or made into milk shakes. Very rare
in cultivation, and relatively cold hardy.
Picture of 2 y.o. tree full of fruit:
Remember, the special prices are good for only 24
hours and expire Monday morning at 7 am EST.
Limited to availability, while supply lasts, hurry up!
Enjoy!
Date: 18 May 2021
First day of Summer and the longest day of the year! Live Jazz in the
Garden, lots of cool vendors
and "A Roof for Rufus" cat adoptions...
Come join the Top Tropicals crew for the longest planting day of the year.
Onika, Bella, Mark and David will be here soaking in the sun and helping you
to pick the right plants...
Top Tropicals is proud to partner with A Roof for Rufus cat adoptions. Each cat attending this event has been
hand picked and approved by King.
Don't miss this event! Talk to the kitties and find your companion in life.
PeopleCats never betray and they will love you forever!
In the photo: PeopleCats from Roof for Rufus Rescue waiting for their forever homes.
Date: 1 Feb 2021
"...Time spent in the garden doesn't count against your lifespan..."
If you want to live longer, live around green space. The Barcelona
Institute for Global Health found that for every 10% increase in vegetation that's
within 1,600 feet of your home, your probability of death drops by 4%.
LEARN MORE >>
1. It gets you into Nature.
2. It's good exercise.
3. You'll eat what you grow.
4. It exercises your mind, while also relieving stress.
LEARN MORE >>
Many of the world's centenarians share one common hobby: gardening. Could you extend your life and drop your stress by taking up the pursuit, too? People living in these so-called "blue zones" have certain factors in common - with daily exercise habits and a plant-based diet, for starters. But they share another unexpected commonality. People are gardening well into old age - their 80s, 90s and beyond. Could nurturing your green thumb help you live to 100? Let nature nurture you!
LEARN MORE >>
Moving naturally throughout the day might sound pleasant and romantic,
but the reality is that 100 years ago only 10% of us had sedentary jobs,
whereas today it's 90%. However, there are still easy ways to add more movement into your busy lifestyle. The research also showed that walking even as little as two hours per week could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer, and help you live longer.
What work out can be better than Gardening? Fresh air, lots of exercise, yet fun and rewarding!
See also: Forget the gym and get to gardening.
In the photo: The Father of American Tropical Fruit Horticulture Bill Whitman, age 92, is presenting his book Five decades with tropical fruit to Top Tropicals after giving a tour of his historical garden in Bal Harbor, Miami (2006)
Date: 5 Jan 2021
Q: I purchased a Sherry Loquat tree from you in April of 2020. It got off to a slow start initially, but now is five feet tall with healthy leaf growth! It is in a 15-gallon pot and was brought into the house by October 15th. I live in Zone 6 and kept the plant outside from end of May to October 15th. I have given the tree artificial lights in addition to slow release fertilizer. Can you please advise me on what steps I need to take to get the Sherry Loquat tree to fruit? E.g., lighting requirements, soil pH, soil type, etc.
A: Loquat is normally winter flowering and spring fruiting tree, here in Florida it is usually heavily covered with fruit by April. With a proper care, you may see flowers throughout the winter and they may set some fruit for you. Considering that during this time you have to keep the plant indoors, here are some recommendations:
1. Soil. Well-drained, porous potting mix. Do not use any heavy garden soils. For our plants we use the following mix which is excellent for containers: Abundance
2. Light. The brighter the better. Sunroom would be great, or at least put the tree next to a large window. Extra lighting with grow lights is beneficial. Any type of light will work, you can even use a simple clip-on light, the brighter the better. 8-10 hours a day.
3. Water. Loquat is drought tolerant but for fruiting it will need regular watering; just don't keep soil soggy, let is slightly dry before waterings.
4. Fertilizer program. Use liquid fertilizer. We recommend Sunshine
Boosters that are safe to use with every watering and year around - SUNSHINE C-Cibus - Crop Nutrition Booster.
We recommend to switch plants from traditional "slow-release" fertilizer to the liquid one because it makes a huge difference in plant growth and flower/fruit quality and quantity.
Sunshine Boosters are scientifically balanced fertilizers that supply all necessary elements for daily plant
needs. They are natural and eco-safe, great for any edibles.
5. Micro-elements. These are essential for potted plants, because in containers roots can't reach out to elements that are usually present in soil when trees grown in the ground.
Apply micro-element remedies that are very effective for improving fruit production,
especially when flower or fruit drop occurs:
SUNSHINE Honey - promotes more efficient blossoming and pollination, makes flowers bigger and reduces bud
drop.
SUNSHINE SuperFood - improves plant vigor and quality and size of flowers
These are all natural, eco-friendly supplements that work great for fruit trees and other edibles.
Read more about Loquat trees: The best grafted Loquat varieties.
